When December envelops the French Riviera in a softer light, the Riviera opens up to a season of rare enchantment. Luxury hotels sparkle on the silver sea, gardens become magical settings, and winter scents mingle with salty notes. Here, Christmas is not simply celebrated: it is reinvented in texture, color, taste, and atmosphere. Each place imagines its own version of the holiday, combining magnified traditions with contemporary elegance. The Riviera becomes a universe that feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
Monaco — Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo
In Monaco, the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo has designed Christmas as a story to be experienced. The palace, completely reinterpreted by Jacques Garcia, has created a setting inspired by an enchanted library. Surrounded by deep wood paneling, burgundy velvet, and shades of sky blue, visitors feel as if they are walking through the pages of a novel. A majestic Christmas tree decorated with golden books welcomes guests, while floral arrangements designed by Périnne Guyonnet evoke winter fairy tales. Each room seems to whisper a gentle story, as if the spirit of Christmas had settled there for good.
Gastronomy elevates this poetic universe. Chef Christophe Cussac, master of sensitive and superbly balanced Mediterranean cuisine, composes dishes of refined generosity for the festive season. At his side, Patrick Mesiano reveals his talent as a sugar sculptor: his Guerlain log, a tribute to the legendary Bee Bottle, combines candied citrus fruits, tonka honey, and vanilla mousse under a delicately crafted Dulcey shell. The experience continues at the chocolate bar, where fondues, homemade creations, and hot cocktails devised with Head Bartender Mickaël Bellec envelop visitors in irresistible sweetness. Christmas at the Métropole is a moment suspended in time, a profound enchantment, where everything celebrates the art of dreaming.
Dates: Festive entertainment on December 24 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and December 31 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with Santa Claus visiting on the 24th. The New Year's Eve celebrations will then showcase Mediterranean flavors. At the Lobby Bar, every evening will be extended with a captivating atmosphere carried by jazz, blues, and soul music.
Address : 4 avenue de la Madone, 98000 Monaco
Instagram : @metropolemonaco
Saint-Tropez — The Winter Chalet at La Ponche Hotel
In Saint-Tropez, the Hôtel La Ponche creates one of the most beautiful paradoxes on the French Riviera: an Alpine chalet facing the Mediterranean Sea. The terrace, transformed into a mountain retreat, combines light wood, chandeliers, thick tablecloths, and subdued lighting. It echoes the history of the place, frequented by Bardot, Vian, and Vadim: a blend of elegance, warmth, and bohemian chic, which lends itself wonderfully to celebrations.
The large communal table encourages sharing in a deeply convivial atmosphere. The generous and melt-in-the-mouth Swiss “moitié-moitié” fondue, made with Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses, is the centerpiece of a gourmet ritual, accompanied by fine charcuterie from Dauzet, baby potatoes, and mesclun salad. The dessert, a pear poached in spiced honey, provides the final sweet touch that anchors this moment in the memory. The contrast is delightful: the sea breathes nearby, the trawlers return to port, but you feel transported to the cozy atmosphere of an Alpine evening. An atypical, warm, deeply Saint-Tropez Christmas.
Dates : Until January 3, from Wednesday evening to Saturday evening
Address : 5 rue des Remparts, 83990 Saint-Tropez
Instagram : @hotel_laponche
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin — The Maybourne Riviera
Perched between sky and sea, The Maybourne Riviera offers one of the most spectacular settings on the Riviera. For Christmas, the hotel has teamed up with Food Fiction to create a unique experience: two afternoons where young and old alike can watch cult films with the infinite Mediterranean horizon as a backdrop. The windows let in silvery light, the sun slowly sets behind Monaco, and Christmas classics take on a new dimension.
The hotel chefs have created sweet treats to enjoy during the session: light crepes, artisanal popcorn, delicate pastries, and fragrant hot drinks. Children, dressed up as festive characters, marvel at the scene, while adults let themselves be carried away by this rare moment of bliss, suspended between land and sea. This simple yet precious experience makes the Maybourne one of the most poetic places to celebrate Christmas. A moment suspended in time, like a breath of fresh air amid the frenzy of the festive season.
Dates : Cult Christmas movie screenings on December 6 and 13 (Home Alone, The Grinch, Love Actually)
Address : 1551 route de la Turbie, 06190 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Instagram : @themaybourneriviera et @foodfiction.club
Event : https://feverup.com
Cannes — Carlton Cannes
This year, under the poetic theme “Head in the Stars,” the Carlton Cannes unfolds spectacular magic. Upon arrival, the listed façade is adorned with golden reflections, a prelude to a magical journey that transforms the garden into a truly enchanted scene: a sparkling ice rink, gift chalets, the scents of Mont Blanc, waffles and panettone, and gospel songs echoing among the palm trees.
In the heart of the patio, visitors discover one of the season's most daring installations: a monumental ice sculpture representing the Carlton's façade, transformed into a champagne bar. Djordje Varda's floral creations, designed as plant constellations, punctuate the ensemble and play with light to envelop the space in a dreamlike atmosphere.
When it comes to flavors, the Carlton's kitchens orchestrate festive menus of great refinement. New Year's Eve on December 31, served in the Grand Salon, becomes an exceptional moment: Ossetra caviar, langoustine and butternut risotto with tonka beans, beef Wellington, Corsican citrus desserts, and Blue Stilton cheese.
The sweet touch of the season bears the signature of Pastry Chef Anthony Coquereau, whose log cake inspired by the flavors of the French Riviera unfolds airy textures and Mediterranean notes in a gourmet tale.
Between live music and elegant excitement, the night stretches out like a scene from a movie. Christmas at the Carlton is dazzling in its most refined form.
Dates :
– Enchanted Garden: November 21 to January 11
– Christmas menu and brunch: December 24 and 25
– New Year's Eve: December 31
– New Year's Day brunch: January 1
For children :
– Pastry masterclass on December 10 and 17
Seasonal treat :
– Anthony Coquereau's Christmas log, available from December 20 to 25
Address : 58 boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes
Instagram : @carltoncannes
Cannes — Palm Beach Cannes
The Palm Beach envisions a festive, lively Christmas, geared towards families and those who love to celebrate. Its Christmas village, set up facing the sea, features fourteen gourmet chalets where you can enjoy oysters, sea urchins, socca, Clos wine, Cannes honey, golden crepes, steaming mulled wine, and artisanal sweets. The sea air mingles with the scent of spices, the laughter of children, and the clatter of skates on the ice.
Santa Claus, the ice rink, the Ice Bar, live concerts, creative workshops, test drives of exceptional cars, and the big golden ticket game where you can win a trip to Lapland all combine to create a festive and generous atmosphere. It's a place to meet up, stroll around, and enjoy the warmest spirit of Christmas. The Palm Beach becomes a place of sharing and joy, a brightly lit village open to all, where even the Mediterranean itself seems to celebrate the season.
Dates : December 5 to 25, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (free admission). Open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, then every day starting December 20.
Address : Place Franklin Roosevelt, 06400 Cannes
Instagram : @palmbeach_cannes
Lorgues — Berne Castle
In the countryside, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and forests, Château de Berne celebrates Christmas with unparalleled Provençal elegance. On December 6 and 7, its Christmas market transforms the estate into a veritable fairy-tale village: carefully selected artisans, wine tastings, tours of the farm and sheepfold, carriage rides, folkloric parades, creative workshops for children, food trucks, and gourmet stands. The scents of warm bread, roasted chestnuts, golden waffles, crepes, and mulled wine envelop visitors in a cocoon of tradition and conviviality.
The Michelin-starred restaurant at Le Jardin de Berne unveils its festive menus, showcasing remarkable culinary mastery where Provençal terroir meets gastronomic excellence. For Christmas, sole from Dieppe with Haut-Var saffron, Mediterranean shrimp, charcoal-grilled lobster, and generously truffled Wagyu beef from Provence compose a ballet of flavors of great precision, followed by a dessert featuring Camargue rice pudding enhanced with caviar.
The New Year's menu continues this elegance with marbled foie gras cooked in Château Saint-Martin wine, turbot stuffed with seaweed and shellfish, poultry with black truffles, and a subtle creation featuring wild Brazilian vanilla.
Christmas in Berne is the perfect blend of understated luxury and Provençal traditions, a sincere and indulgent break in a setting of rare beauty.
Dates : Christmas market on December 6 and 7; festive menus on December 24, 25, and 31
Address : Route de Salernes, 83510 Lorgues
Instagram : @chateauberne
Nice — Hôtel du Couvent
In Nice, the Hôtel du Couvent reinvents Mediterranean Christmas in its most authentic and soothing form. On December 20, the Cour des Orangers hosts a farmers' and artisans' market featuring honey, citrus fruits, golden breads fresh from the Couvent's oven, chocolates, flowers, ceramics, and local sweets. The courtyard is lit up with garlands and candles, while chestnuts roast over a wood fire and mulled wine with cinnamon fills the air with its aroma. A cart of hot chocolate makes children's eyes light up as they lick their fingers covered in melted chocolate. The decor, deliberately simple and tasteful, evokes the atmosphere of cloisters: a humble, almost monastic beauty that touches the heart.
The festive menus showcase the culinary expertise of Le Couvent. On December 24 and 25, delicate panisse, truffled foie gras, scallops with carrots and citrus, double-cooked chicken with chestnuts and pumpkin, truffled Jerusalem artichoke soup, and poultry pithivier make for meals that are perfect for winter. On December 31, an exceptional dinner brings together langoustine with caviar, scallops & buckwheat, turbot with aniseed fennel, venison flavored with rosehip, and sparkling desserts with citrus, pistachio, or frosted pomegranate.
Christmas at the Convent invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and return to the essentials: warmth, light, and sharing.
In January, the tradition continues: from January 3 to 16, the bakers at the Couvent prepare brioches and galettes for Epiphany, including a calisson-style frangipane that celebrates the sweetness of Provence.
Dates : Christmas market on December 20; dinners on December 24 and 31; lunch on December 25; Epiphany from January 3 to 16
Address : 1 rue Honoré Ugo, 06300 Nice
Instagram : @hotelducouvent
Cover photo © Studio Phenix
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